The competition between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad has turned into one of the most thrilling rivalries in the IPL. It features powerful batting, high scores, tense run chases, and several matches that are remembered as iconic moments in the league or playoffs. Following their two clashes in IPL 2026, the overall statistics have grown even closer.
By the conclusion of the 2026 league phase, these teams have squared off 28 times in the IPL. Sunrisers Hyderabad has secured victory in 14 of these encounters, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru has triumphed in 13, with one match ending without a definitive result. This slight advantage reveals the essence of their competition: neither team has established clear supremacy in this rivalry for any significant stretch of time.
This article delves into the head-to-head record between RCB and SRH, highlighting recent outcomes, key scores, venue patterns, and the contests that have influenced this rivalry.
RCB vs SRH head to head record in IPL
The overall matchup is strikingly close. SRH possesses a one-game lead, yet RCB is just one victory shy of equalizing the series. The 2026 season added to the intensity of their rivalry, with the teams each claiming one victory in their two league encounters.
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total IPL matches | 28 |
| SRH wins | 14 |
| RCB wins | 13 |
| No result | 1 |
| SRH win percentage | 50.0% |
| RCB win percentage | 46.4% |
The win percentages above are calculated based on all 28 scheduled meetings, including the no-result match in the denominator.
The RCB vs SRH head-to-head record illustrates the unpredictable nature of this fixture. A team can come in on a winning streak yet still face pressure as the opposing team has consistently managed to deliver game-changing performances.
The rivalry initiated when Sunrisers Hyderabad joined the IPL in 2013. Since that time, both franchises have experienced various eras, captains, foreign player combinations, and strategies. The balance has shifted repeatedly rather than favoring one team continuously.
IPL 2026: Both teams won once
The most recent season introduced two distinctively contrasting chapters to their matchup.
Match 1: RCB won by six wickets
The initial contest of IPL 2026 occurred at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. Sunrisers Hyderabad set a target of 201/9, but RCB successfully chased it down, concluding at 203/4 to win by six wickets.
Rather than letting the required run rate dictate the pace of the match, RCB maintained control throughout the innings and completed the chase with ample time remaining. This victory served as a crucial early-season declaration in a matchup where momentum can shift rapidly.
Match 2: SRH won by 55 runs
The second contest took place on May 22 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. In this match, SRH delivered a commanding performance. They scored 255/4 over 20 overs and then limited RCB to 200/4, securing victory by 55 runs.
Ishan Kishan shone with 79 runs off 46 balls, and the substantial total by SRH placed RCB in a challenging position from the outset of their chase. This outcome ensured that both teams concluded their 2026 league encounters with one win each.
That division in 2026 is crucial when considering the head-to-head statistics between RCB and SRH, as it highlights the rapid shifts in dominance that can occur between different venues.
Recent head-to-head results
The latest encounters have shown a mixture of outcomes. In 2025, SRH triumphed over RCB by 42 runs after scoring 231/6, while RCB was dismissed for 189. The previous year, the teams played two distinctly different matches.
RCB secured victory in their April 25 clash by 35 runs, setting a target of 206/7 and limiting SRH to 171/8. However, just ten days prior, SRH had celebrated a high-scoring win by 25 runs, posting 287/3 against RCB’s total of 262/7.
RB’s success continued in the 2023 matchup. Chasing a target of 187, RCB emerged victorious after SRH had scored 186/5, clinching the win by eight wickets.
This trend showcases a consistent pattern: the matchup can fluctuate between being a high-scoring batting duel and a contest decided by strategic bowling or effective chase management.
Biggest scores in the rivalry
Few confrontations in the IPL have yielded the scoring surges observed in this rivalry.
SRH’s impressive total of 287/3 against RCB in April 2024 stands as the highest aggregate score in their encounters. RCB, in counter, posted 262/7, resulting in a total of 549 runs for the match.
This particular game exemplified contemporary T20 batting excellence. The short boundaries at Chinnaswamy, coupled with aggressive hitting during the powerplay and extensive batting depth, generated an exceptional scoring rate.
The 2026 season further contributed notable scoring when SRH recorded 255/4 in Hyderabad. In response, RCB amassed 200/4, pushing the total runs in the match beyond 450.
These figures illustrate why the evaluation of the RCB vs SRH head-to-head record should extend beyond just wins and losses. The matchups have also consistently produced thrilling high-scoring cricket, especially when the playing conditions favor batsmen.
Memorable matches that shaped the rivalry
The 2016 IPL final
A pivotal moment in this rivalry occurred during the 2016 final. RCB and SRH faced off for the IPL championship, with SRH claiming the title after overcoming RCB.
This outcome has become a significant focal point of their rivalry, as the final’s importance surpassed that of a regular league match. RCB made it to the final after an outstanding season, but SRH remained composed on the biggest occasion.
For supporters, this encounter is regarded as one of the key highlights in the narratives of both franchises.
The 2020 Eliminator
The two squads faced off once more during the 2020 playoffs in the Eliminator round. SRH secured a win by six wickets while successfully chasing RCB’s score of 131/7.
This match further illustrated SRH’s capability to excel under pressure when competing against RCB. The outcome enabled SRH to advance in the tournament, concluding RCB’s season.
The 2022 extremes
The 2022 season showcased two striking encounters between the teams. In April, SRH triumphed over RCB, restricting them to a mere 68 runs and easily completing the chase in just 8.1 overs. A few weeks later, RCB made a powerful comeback, scoring 192/3 and dismissing SRH for 125, winning by a significant margin of 67 runs.
These contrasting results exemplify the volatility inherent in this rivalry.
Venue-wise battle
The playing conditions at different venues have influenced the outcomes of their matches.
At M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the short boundaries have often favored aggressive batting styles. RCB has consistently performed well there, while SRH has also recorded impressive totals, such as their 287/3 in 2024.
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad has provided SRH a well-known environment where their bowling assets and formidable batting lineup can apply pressure. The most recent instance occurred in May 2026, when SRH achieved a score of 255/4, winning by 55 runs.
However, the venue is just one aspect. Factors like the toss result, moisture in the air, early wickets during powerplays, and the management of middle overs can swiftly alter the match’s trajectory.
Players who have defined RCB vs SRH
Numerous standout players have become synonymous with this contest.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has emerged as one of RCB’s pivotal batsmen throughout the rivalry, consistently taking on a significant role in the team’s scoring efforts. His familiarity with SRH’s bowling methods has made him a crucial player whenever these teams clash.
Key SRH players
For SRH, notable individuals like David Warner, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, and Ishan Kishan have delivered outstanding batting displays across various periods. The 2026 match prominently featured Kishan, who scored 79 off 46 balls, helping SRH reach 255/4.
Bowling battle
In terms of bowling, this rivalry has showcased several exceptional talents. RCB’s bowlers, both spinners and pace bowlers, have often targeted SRH’s assertive top order. Meanwhile, SRH has employed pace variations and created pressure during the middle overs to challenge RCB’s batting strength.
Why this rivalry remains so competitive
The head-to-head records between RCB and SRH show a close contest because each team has attributes that can exploit the other side’s vulnerabilities.
RCB becomes formidable when their top order navigates the powerplay safely. Their batting depth can convert a manageable target into a rapid finish. Conversely, SRH has consistently demonstrated the ability to alter match dynamics within the explosive first ten overs.
The contest between the bowlers is equally crucial. Early dismissal of RCB’s key batsmen by SRH can significantly change the course of the game. On the other hand, if RCB manages to restrict SRH’s progress during the powerplay, they can compel SRH to adopt a more cautious approach instead of a continuous attacking strategy.
This dynamic is why the outcome of the matches often remains uncertain until the very end.
What the numbers say about the rivalry
Examining the recent RCB versus SRH confrontation history, SRH holds a slight advantage with 14 victories in contrast to RCB’s 13, along with one match that ended without a result.
However, this margin is minimal enough that past statistics should not be seen as a forecast. The two sides have frequently changed their rosters, management, and strategies over the years. A head-to-head record illustrates prior outcomes; it does not dictate future results.
The most significant insight is the ongoing competitiveness of the rivalry. Throughout 28 encounters, neither franchise has demonstrated a dominant hold. Even when one team seems to gain an edge, the other often counters with a robust showing in the subsequent match.
Conclusion
The RCB against SRH head-to-head statistics present a skewed perspective only in theory. SRH stands at 14 wins to RCB’s 13, including one match that did not yield a result, but the single-win gap indicates how closely matched these teams have been.
The 2026 season reinforced this notion. RCB triumphed in their initial clash by six wickets, while SRH countered with a significant 55-run win in Hyderabad. Previous seasons contributed playoff excitement, record-setting scores, and remarkable turnarounds, elevating this beyond a simple league matchup.
For supporters monitoring upcoming contests, the most important indicators will continue to be batting starts, control in the middle overs, playing conditions, and how well each team’s star players manage pressure. If recent patterns serve as any guidance, another installment of this rivalry is expected to feature plenty of runs, shifts in momentum, and thrilling moments.
